February 8, 2012

Dear Family of Faith,
Are you feeling stressed? I had an appointment to see my physician today, someone I much appreciate. In the course of the conversation he told me that didn't know if he could keep going. He said that most nights he doesn't get to bed before 2 a.m. and he wakes up early to be in the office and make hospital rounds. I felt grieved when I heard his words, like someone had punched me in the stomach. The reason that he was being run ragged is because he is such a conscientious man, taking his patients' healthcare seriously, not "just in it for the money." As I reflected on the most dedicated and gifted people I have known, I realized that most of them were overextended. Even Jesus had little time to eat and sleep; one day his family came to "rescue" him from such a lifestyle because they thought he had gone mad. What about you? Do you ever feel like quitting? Last Sunday after worship, Kermit Jackson came up to me and said, "After that sermon I got to wondering what I would have rather been in my life. I would like to have been a golden retriever!" (He has one and knows how they get all the attention without any responsibilities.) Ah, the life of a dog! Some days it seems pretty appealing; yet in the end it's only our purpose in life that gives us meaning. We may burn out sooner than we want, but we can go a lot longer if we know why we're doing what we're doing. I don't think God ever wants us to retire from helping others or being kind and generous or showing the love of Jesus. On those stressful days, take a break; spend some time in quietness and prayer, and pray for those among us who go 24/7 because the needs of the world are great. Just don't quit!